JARDIUS, Charles Francois des, French naval officer, born in Port Louis, Guadeloupe, in 1729; died in Santo Domingo in September, 1791. He entered the navy when scarcely sixteen years old, became commander in 1778, and under the Marquis of Bouille greatly contributed to the capture of Tobago, taking part also in the battles with Admiral Rodney in the waters of La Dominique in April and May, 1780. In the third battle, which was a success for the French, he held his ground alone against three English vessels, and received the brevet of commodore. He afterward served under Count de Grasse when the latter went to protect the American coasts, and commanded a division in the fleet of Admiral Destouches when the latter defeated the English under Admiral Arbuthnot on 16 March, 1781, at the entrance of Chesapeake bay. His gallantry during the action won him great praises from the Americans, and he was made an honorary member of the Society of the Cincinnati. He commanded the station of Santo Domingo in 1791 at the time of the troubles in the island, and, having landed with a corps of marines to crush the rebels, was instantly killed.